Performance of Late Sown Wheat in Response to Foliar Application of Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaf Extract

a rise in temperature during early spring inducing early maturity is a key yield-reducing factor in late sown wheat (triticum aestivum l.). moringa oleifera lam. leaves are rich in zeatin, a cytokinin that plays a role in delaying leaf senescence, in addition to other growth-enhancing compounds such as ascorbates, phenolics, and minerals. the objective of this study was to optimize dose and optimum growth stage for foliar-applied moringa leaf extract (mle) and its role in delaying leaf senescence in late sown wheat. the wheat crop was shown on 16 december 2008; mle (diluted 30 times) was applied at different growth stages from tillering to heading and heading alone and distilled water was sprayed as a control. all the mle treatment results were better than the control. however, an increase of 10.73%, 6.00%, 10.70%, and 4.00% was evident in 1000 grain weight, biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index, respectively, with mle spray at tillering + jointing + booting + heading. the mle spray used only at heading gave 6.84%, 3.17%, 6.80%, and 3.51% more than the control 1000 grain weight, biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index, respectively. the mle extended seasonal leaf area duration (seasonal lad) by 9.22 and 6.45 d over the control when applied at all growth stages and a single spray at heading, respectively. we conclude that it is possible that the presence of growth-promoting substances in mle foliar spray can delay crop maturity and extend seasonal lad and the grain-filling period, thereby leading to greater seed and biological yields in late sown wheat.